Chapter V: Special Degrees and Pre-Professional Studies Several special degree programs are offered by the joint cooperation of LS&A and some other college or school within the University. Admission to some of these programs is highly competitive. Because many of these programs require specific courses for admission, it is important for students to identify program interests early in their undergraduate careers, and often at the freshman level. Although the basic requirements are summarized in this chapter, students should consult academic advisors associated with the various programs. Many LS&A students are interested in applying for admission to a professional school either after two years of liberal arts studies or after completing an LS&A degree. The second half of this chapter describes several pre-professional courses of study. Pre-professional advising is available at both the Academic Advising Center and the Office of Career Planning and Placement. Special Joint Degree Programs Public Policy (Bachelor of Arts and Master of Public Policy) The Gerald R. Ford School of Public Policy offers an accelerated program in public policy for exceptional undergraduates at the University of Michigan. The program enables students in political science, or economics, or the B.G.S. degree program to complete both a bachelor's degree and the two-year Master of Public Policy (M.P.P.) degree in five years of study. Candidates for this program are selected by the Gerald R. Ford School of Public Policy during the junior year. In the senior year, students elect the full sequence of Public Policy core courses, most of which simultaneously satisfy concentration or cognate requirements for the bachelor's degree while counting towards the M.P.P. degree. The A.B. or B.G.S. degree is awarded at the end of the senior year, and the M.P.P. degree after one additional year of study. For this accelerated program, students need to complete a minimum 100 LS&A credits in the 120 necessary for the undergraduate degree. In calculating LS&A credits, LS&A will count all elections that are listed in the LS&A Bulletin and the Public Policy courses that are cross-listed with Economics and Political Science. The eligibility requirements for the accelerated joint program include completion of at least 100 credits toward the undergraduate degree which must include one calculus (or higher level mathematics/statistics) course. At least twenty-four of the 100 credits must be in economics or political science, with no fewer than six credits in either department. These credit requirements must be completed by the time of the first enrollment in the Gerald R. Ford School of Public Policy; courses may be taken in the Spring or Summer half-terms if necessary. In addition, applicants for the accelerated program must show an academic record that is demonstrably superior to that of students entering on the regular track. This means that the student record must meet or exceed the median scores for the entering class: a cumulative GPA of 3.4 and a Quantitative Graduate Records Examination (GRE) score of 660. Further information can be found under the departmental program statements of Economics and Political Science in Chapter VI, or by visiting the Gerald R. Ford School of Public Policy in 440 Lorch Hall. Interested undergraduates should begin consultation in the sophomore year; application is made in the junior year. University of Michigan | College of LS&A | Student Academic Affairs | LS&A Bulletin Index This page maintained by LS&A Academic Information and Publications, 1228 Angell Hall Copyright © 2000 The Regents of the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109 USA +1 734 764-1817 Trademarks of the University of Michigan may not be electronically or otherwise altered or separated from this document or used for any non-University purpose.